How Can We Better Serve Children with Disabilities? Public Library Accessibility Recommendations from Early Intervention Coordinators

Abstract

ABSTRACTService coordinators (SCs) play a vital role in assisting families in accessing and navigating the system of Early Intervention services that provide vital support to young children with disabilities and/or developmental delays (YCwD/DD). The study reports findings of focus group interviews with 14 SCs in three states in the United States that were subsequently coded and analyzed using a thematic analysis framework. SCs identified many ways that libraries support YCwD/DD through provisions of materials, services, spaces, and collaborative partnerships with community agencies. However, they pointed to additional measures libraries could take to better serve YCwD/DD and their families. Libraries might consider implementing changes to aspects of their policies and collaborative relationships in order to improve their responsiveness to the needs of YCwD/DD and their families.KEYWORDS: Librariesdisabilitieschildrenearly interventionpublic libraries Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1. See Squires et al. (Citation2009) Ages & Stages Questionnaires: A Parent-Completed Child Monitoring System (3rd ed.) for additional information on ASQ screening materials and methods.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [LG-246297-OLS-20].Notes on contributorsDerek T. M. DaskalakesDerek T. M. Daskalakes is a lecturer at the School of Information Science, University of Kentucky, where he teaches undergraduate courses on communication and composition. His scholarship examines aspects of public policy and institutional practice that affect educational access and learning for children with disabilities.Melissa StormontMelissa Stormont is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Missouri. Her main research area includes using prevention science methods in early childhood; she has published over 100 peer reviewed journal articles and 5 books and is currently a PI for a grant through the Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) to develop a kindergarten intervention for children with academic and social behavior readiness problems.Denice AdkinsDenice Adkins is a professor at the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies, University of Missouri, co-editor of the Journal of Education for Library & Information Science, and Treasurer for REFORMA (The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking).Caroline GoodenCaroline Gooden serves as the KY LEND Interim Training Director at the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute. Her research interests include early childhood special education, social emotional development in children and families, screening and assessment in early childhood, transition in early childhood, and treatment of children with neonatal abstinence syndrome and their families.Bobbie Sartin LongBobbie Sartin Long is an assistant professor at Emporia State University who is passionate about library services to underserved populations.Carol RussellCarol Russell is a Professor Emeritus of Early Childhood Unified at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and has taught in higher education for over 45 years. Dr. Russell has been awarded various project grants, as well as teaching, service and research awards. She has authored books and articles, and presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on various topics including: Art for ALL: Inclusive Creative Arts, Children with special needs and their families, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Person First Philosophy, Inclusion, ADA and advocacy.Maria CahillMaria Cahill is a professor in the School of Information Science at the University of Kentucky with a joint appointment in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies. Cahill’s research is centered on improving literacy and learning outcomes for children and adolescents by attending to resources, services, and programs available through libraries.